Armstrong loses key ruling in bonus money fight

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas company is closer to forcing Lance Armstrong to return about $12 million in bonuses he was paid for winning the Tour de France while secretly using performance-enhancing drugs.

A spokesman for Dallas-based SCA Promotions said a Texas arbitration panel ruled Wednesday that it would consider the company’s appeal to recover the money. The company tried to prove Armstrong used steroids and other drugs and doping methods back in 2005, but ultimately agreed to pay Armstrong in a settlement.

Armstrong’s attorneys argued the settlement was irreversible. But SCA went back to the same arbitration panel for a new ruling after Armstrong confessed he cheated to win the cycling’s biggest race every year from 1999-2005.

Armstrong attorney Tim Herman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.